Road to Torino

Sunday, February 12, 2006
9:35:00 AM EST Probably the biggest news of the entire Games emerges this morning with Michelle Kwan's announcement that she's withdrawing from competition. Yesterday buzz grew that she wouldn't be able to compete after she struggled in her practice, still feeling pain from the groin injury she sustained in December.

I was never a supporter of sending Michelle to Torino in place of Emily Hughes, the 3rd place finisher at U.S. Nationals last month. Now Emily has her chance to compete after all. I just want to hail Michelle Kwan for making a very difficult decision early on to permit Emily this opportunity.

Not only was it the right decision, it's what a champion does. Michelle Kwan is a true champion and always will be. She proved it again with her actions today.

Read more about Michelle's decision and reaction from a 'shocked' Sasha Cohen. Bob Costas will interview Michelle tonight at 7pm ET on NBC.

Godspeed, Michelle! Good luck, Emily!

[Update - Emily Hughes on how she found out she was added to the Olympic Team:]
“We actually found out late last night. We got a call, we actually were in a restaurant. We were told that we couldn’t tell anyone. We actually had to leave the restaurant because it was so exciting to find out that I was going to be able to go to Torino. To have the support of my family, Sarah and my parents, it was just so great. Mr. (David) Raith (USFS executive director) and Mr. Ron Hershberger (USFS president) were on the phone and they were really supportive. They told me that Michelle unfortunately was injured and they asked me if I’d be happy to represent the United States. Of course I couldn’t be happier. I’m really looking forward to getting there.”

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This entry has 17 comments: (Add your own)

• #17 Comment from carelin21 
  11/1/06 12:44 AM | Permalink

  I found this post much later during the year.  However, I will say that Michelle Kwan has been one of the greatest figure skaters to ever grace the ice.  I think that she gave it a full effort and realized that her body was just not holding up.  No matter what happens, she will always be a champion.  She deserves more than gold...she deserves platinum.
• #16 Comment from pnishthm 
  2/26/06 6:47 PM | Permalink

  michell  rocks and it sad to not see her compete
                                                 alex hartegen
• #15 Comment from serpent34 
  2/23/06 9:27 PM | Permalink

  Who really cares what DICK thinks?
• #14 Comment from numberbyspecial 
  2/13/06 3:06 PM | Permalink

  What a sad day for Michelle and her fans. She deserved to be in Torino, She is probably one of the greatest skaters of all time. To all of you negative people. Get over yourself. Michelle has been a true Champion  all of these years, win or lose, she showed true class. We will never see another like her in our lifetime. Good Luck Michelle, it has been a pleasure to watch you skate all these years, Hope you go to World's .
  
• #13 Comment from ktknn4 
  2/13/06 1:20 PM | Permalink

  I would just like to say that everyone I know wishes you a speedy recovery Michelle. Our hopes and prayers are with you.
  I also would like to say a comment from a person on a blog that you have to be invited to, convienent that way, you don't agree.. you cannot comment. "So in steps Emily Hughes, with a chance to be Tom Brady to Michelle Kwans Drew Bledsoe." To the person who wasted the time to type that tasteless comment, how many medals do you have exactly? Better yet, how many have you tried for? Bon-Bon eating and remote control button pushing are not olympic events! She was not the person who caused Michelle to injure herself, so give Emily Hughes a break.

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